FiftySix

I've been in the ride doldrums for a few weeks. It all started with a small crash that buggered up a shin on one leg and a knee on the other. The shin injury didn't feel better until week 3 and trying to ride before then a couple times aggravated it.

Then work took off, and a home project took over this past weekend. I haven't had a ride in over a week and it's not calling to me at the moment even in this beautiful weather we're having.

Last night I was looking at my two bikes in the garage and was wishing I had a cruiser for moments I feel like this. If only I had the storage space and permission to do so. Marriage . . . . arrrrgh . . . blaaargh . . . today's another anniversary . . .

fujidon

Are you really ruing being married? You know you didn't have to be, nor do you need to continue to be.

You don't need permission. Don't pretend like you do. If you actually care about your spouse, I would think you'd WANT to make him/her happy and not blame you unhappiness on them.

For myself, I refuse to be a victim of my choices.

FiftySix

Not really, but when I went up to three bikes* in the summer of 2019 and offered to get rid of my wife's unridden bike to make space, she wasn't having any of it. So, I put new tires, seat, and grips on her old bike (aged, not worn) and gave a general service. She has not put 1 mile on that machine in over 12 months time.

Can't win 'em all.

Edit to add: *Forgot to mention, I had to get rid of bike #1 to make room for bike #3 since I couldn't get rid of my wife's bike. #1 was a cruiser.

jon c. 

If I don't feel like riding because it's cold or wet then I don't ride.

Otherwise, I drag myself out the door and after the first couple of miles I always feel good about it. I just returned from that sort of ride.

But I doubt I get nearly the annual mileage that some here do, so I probably don't ride enough to ever get tired of it.

Flip Flop Rider

I know that riding will make me feel better no matter how bad my mindset is before the ride

gear64

My riding has waxed and waned over the course of my life, but never died out. Just go with the flow. Life's too varied and interesting to fret over one interest for another.

Junkbeast

There you go. Absorbed in something else. Don't overanalyze it, sometimes you just have other stuff going on. I usually don't hang bike up until late October or early November but being absorbed in a home sale and moving benched me through most of September where I only rode like 100 miles.

50PlusCycling

If I didn't do all the things I wasn't mentally into, I would be living under a bridge and carrying all of my belongings is a shopping cart. Work, no matter what it is, requires discipline, and so do non-work activities. Love (of anything and/or anyone) is not something which happens and then keeps going on its own, it takes some effort to keep it going.

OldTryGuy

Ever since April when 150lb wild hog hit me resulting in a crash/hospital stay injuries plus endless HOT/HUMID weather and my cancer issues things haven't been super so yesterday was a 2 ride "fun - chill'n outing."

https://www.strava.com/activities/4159679118

https://www.strava.com/activities/4159674690

topflightpro

I think it's pretty normal to have that feeling. There are lots of times during the year I don't feel like riding, but I do because it's on my training plan. I usually schedule 2-4 weeks at the end of my race season to do whatever I want. Ride if I feel like, or don't. It's nice to not think about riding for a couple weeks.

sovende

This is pretty much my situation. I generally don't have to "drag myself out the door", my challenge is getting "kitted up"! Once dressed for action, it's pretty easy get going and after a mile or two, I'll be into the ride .
It's getting to be the time of the year when the cold days definitely outnumber the warm ones and consequently my interest in riding drops off sharply.

bblair

Sometimes you just have to change things up.

Ride with the "slow group." Probably not as slow as you think, and way more fun than beating your brains out on the Tuesday Night World Championships. Friendlier people too.
Ride to a destination and have a nice meal. Easier pre-Covid.
Short rides. 25 or 30 miles is enough sometimes. Every ride doesn't need to be an epic adventure. Stop and take pictures. Read those roadside historical markers.
Ride the bike path. My wife likes to ride our tandem for an hour to get coffee. Watch the world go by and leisurely ride back.
Or switch to something else for a while, like hiking. Great exercise, still outdoors and you burn enough calories to drink a beer.

phughes

I have been like that this Summer, sadly. I too have been busy with other projects. I still love bikes, and will be back into the insanity and addiction soon though. It is only temporary. As for apathy, don't worry, sometimes you just need a break.

Sebenza

OK, you've had your week off. Now get back to work or you'll get soft. If your in the north a ready excuse is coming along. Now is the cooler time of the year with fall colors and few bugs. Get out there and ride. If you have a suitable bike try some woodsy trails. Trails are a nice change and you don't fall into the metrics trap. Don't ride if you don't feel like it but try not to let too much time go by and undo your work. Don't ask how I know.

Steve

bblair

I remembered another one while riding today. Ride your old bike! I have a few bikes from the 70's, cool at the time, but not as sophisticated as modern stuff. Still, fun to ride the old bikes, fiddle with indexed shifting and Brooks seats. Then my newer bike feels like a rocket ship.